1. English II—November 16, 2015
Daily Warm-up: Consider the three characters who have interacted with Creon so far. How was each one different from Creon?
Guard:
Antigone:
Ismene:
Which of these characters do you think has served as the strongest foil for Creon? How did this foil help develop and highlight Creon’s character?
Foil: a minor character whose actions or thoughts are juxtaposed with those of a major character in order to highlight key attributes of the major character.
Homework:
Review Antigone notes for a test on Friday.
Reading Plus due Sunday at 11:59.

2. Unit 4 Embedded Assessment 2
Writing a Literary Analysis Essay on Characterization and Theme
Your assignment is to write an analytical essay about the effect of character interaction in the play Antigone. Choose a character whose words, actions, or ideas contrast with Creon’s character. Explain how those conflicting motivations contribute to Creon’s development as a tragic hero and how the character interactions advance the plot or develop themes of the play.

3. Rubric for Literary Analysis Essay
Scoring Criteria
Exemplary
Ideas
The essay thoroughly examines the effect of character interaction on plot or theme; accurately analyzes characterization, including another character’s role (such as foil) in the development of a tragic hero; smoothly integrates relevant evidence, including details, quotations, and examples.
Structure
The essay uses an effective organizational structure with a logical progression of ideas; introduces the topic engagingly, links supporting ideas, and provides a thoughtful conclusion; uses appropriate and varied transitions.
Use of Language
The essay uses precise language and variety of sentence structures; maintains an academic voice and objective tone; demonstrates command of conventions with few errors in grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

4. Conflicting Motivations
Textual Evidence: What the Character Says
Analysis: What Motivates the Character
Guard: She just kept standing there, denying nothing. That made me happy—though it was painful, too. For it’s a joy escaping troubles which affect oneself, but painful to bring evil on one’s friends. But all that is of less concern to me than my own safety. (Lines )
Creon:
Antigone:
Ismene:

5. Check Your Understanding
Identify two characters in this scene that have conflicting motivations and explain how their interactions advance the plot. Be sure to:
Write a topic sentence that identifies two characters with conflicting motivations.
Include textual evidence for both characters that illustrates each character’s motivation.
Comment on the conflict between the two characters and how it advances the plot.

6. During/After Reading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZOHhlXMznM
Pay attention to evidence of Haemon’s character as it is revealed by his words, thoughts, and actions.
Think about the character traits that are revealed or emphasized through his interactions with Haemon.

7. Outline of an Essay Analyzing Character Interaction
Write a thesis statement about how Haemon acts as a character foil for Creon. Which of Creon’s character traits are highlighted by his interactions with Haemon in this scene?
Haemon serves as a foil for Creon’s character by highlighting Creon’s. . .

8. Outline of an Essay Analyzing Character Interaction
I. Thesis
II. Topic Sentence 1
Textual Evidence with Commentary:
III. Topic Sentence 2
IV. Topic Sentence 3:
V. Concluding Statement:

9. Outline of an Essay Analyzing Character Interaction
I. Thesis: Haemon serves as a foil for Creon’s character by highlighting Creon’s unreasonableness, anger, and disrespect.
II. Topic Sentence 1: When Haemon poses his argument in support of Antigone, Creon stubbornly refuses to listen to his side.
Textual Evidence with Commentary: Haemon says, “When men speak well, it good to learn from them” (Line 819). Creon’s refusal to listen to his own son’s reasoned argument demonstrates how unreasonable Creon is being in contrast to his son’s reasonableness.
Textual Evidence with Commentary:
III. Topic Sentence 2: Creon’s anger erupts when he feels that Haemon is questioning his judgement and threatening his right to rule.
Textual Evidence with Commentary: Creon asks, “Am I to rule this land at someone else’s whim or by myself?” (Lines ). The interaction with Haemon demonstrates how hot-tempered Creon is, especially when he feels that his authority is in question.
IV. Topic Sentence 3: Haemon’s respectful tone is a direct contrast to Creon’s insulting and disrespectful attitude toward his son.
Textual Evidence with Commentary: Creon says, “ You foul creature—you’re worse than any woman” (Lines ). Haemon never loses his cool and always speaks respectfully to his father, who responds with anger and insults.
V. Concluding Statement: With his calm response to Creon’s anger, Haemon’s character helps reveal Creon’s major flaws.